Stereo Crowd Shoot (NY)

Last week, I did a photo shoot for "Stereo Crowd" in Queens, NY. I've been up on these guys for a minute since seeing them live at The East Harlem Riviera last year. It definitely felt great reconnecting, meeting new band members and the photo experience in general was so much fun! Everyone was so patient and took my direction wonderfully. I'd only done the lighting technique on myself alone at home with a self timer, so I wasn't sure what would come from this session. We began shooting around 11pm and finished around 3am. No make-up artists, stylists or photo assistants on set, just Stereo Crowd, my camera, light and me. Gracias books, chairs ladders (and Stereo Crowd!) for helping to keep my camera steady since I didn't have a tripod. (And a special gracias to my buddy LA photog Jon Genius for the light he left behind. I used it on Chavon! :~)

Here are some finished images below:

To get more info, visit StereoCrowd.com. Follow on Twitter/StereoCrowd.

Blackface in 2009 Fashion Shoots

The "Blackface" French Vogue photoshoot featuring Dutch model Lara Stone released this month is getting tons of negative response from the American media and black community. Although, I completely understand where the outrage is coming from, I'd have to say I do not agree with most of the negative feedback this spread is getting. Yes, I am a Black-American woman who knows very well about the history of "Black Face" but from an artist's point of view who loves the art of "the pretend" and "the imitation" I can appreciate this. Plus, it's not "Black Face" in the historical or tradition sense where 1) a white person’s face is painted black because societal restrictions prevent a black person from taking the role and 2) it’s not done in mockery, or degrading way as to make fun of a black person (like black actor's in "Gone With The Wind", "Stepin Fechit" etc). The model looks regal and beautiful posing as close to a black woman as she possible can. Because let's be honest, if you weren't told that this model was white, more than likely, you'd pass it as another high end fashion photo shoot. (I don't like the face and angle on the first one sitting down, just for the record.)

How is this conceptual shoot any different then playing "make-believe" and transforming a model into someone or something else other than she? That's what fashion shoots are all about - telling a story. Then some ask, "Well, why not use a real black model?" I do not believe it was ever about using a real black woman to begin with, but more about how can the creative team pull off evolving a model into looking like something completely opposite. It's ultimately about the "make-believe", about the "dress-up" in the most challenging way possible. It's also showcasing how extremely gifted the makeup artist, stylist and the photographer are by coming close to the real thing. Have we forgotten the ultimate form of flattery? To "copy" or "imitate" (in good taste, no matter what the subject) has always and will always be the greatest form of that.

However, the only thing that the magazine editor failed to do was actually included authentic Black/African models in this issue! Now the media can and has every right to really turn what I'm sure was originally a creative and fun idea into a racist situation. How you doing a tribute to Black beauty, but not show authentic black models throughout the magazine? Can we say hypocrites?

Tyra Bank's ANTM is also being criticized for using Blackface recently (although she's done this concept already a few seasons back turning black, white and latina models into Geishas.) So what's the big deal turning now? Turning white and asian models into African beauties is wrong now? Absolutely not! It's a genius idea and a great way to show diversity across the board of races. The natural skin color of a model shouldn't matter, because she's simply a canvas for the make-up, clothing and hair styling anyway. If anything, the complaining and close-mindedness of these people opposing it shows the true ignorance and racist attitudes that still lives today. Also, I object to ANTM's beautiful works of art being group in that same disgusting category of "The Jackson Jive" minstrel skit on an Australian Variety Show last week. Those 5 men smiling, dancing and laughing about like baffoons in tar-black face paint was so painful to view. (Much love and thanks to Harry Connick Jr. for speaking out!)

Tyra, THANK YOU for pushing the envelope by blurring and questioning the lines of race with these amazing new ANTM photos! Love them.

So let's celebrate! Black is the new Black.

Black does sell.

Black is beautiful.

"B'twix B'tween" For commentary - ClickHere

(Photographed, modeled and post processed by me.)

"UBlack2" For Commentary - ClickHere

(Photographed, modeled and post processed by me.)

Date with light paint

I love me some MJ (as most of you know), so the concept in these next set of photos shouldn't come as a surprise. Michael Jackson's estate released the much anticipated un-released song "This Is It" in preparation for the movie coming out next week. So to celebrate The Late Great Michael Jackson and the beauty of this new song (Mike actually recorded this around "Thriller". FYI), I decided to create these pictures using the same technique I did on the photos I shot last year here with the ones you see below. The blurs on the face are nice to a degree, but after staring at them for a while, I'm ready to see clear facial features.

The following night I re-shot and got this.


"Blooper" Images from the night before-





Take a listen to "This Is It"

Inspiration from Lydia Martin

About a month ago, an artist from the west coast contacted me asking permission to use a photo of mine as a reference point for an upcoming painting. Because I admired her previous works, I wanted to see what she might come up with.

I must say this made my night 3 times over upon receiving it! Thank you Lydia for the time and dedication you spent on this piece.

To see more of Lydia Martin, free to take click HERE

Boy Behind The Mask

Michael Jackson

"Boy Behind The Mask"
by Sarah Weaver

Find more of her masterpieces here

Compliments - Act of Love

I've come to believe that compliments are truly little gifts from God. Mary sent me this beautiful message today...



Thanks to all those who have ever said kind things about my work, told me how my work inspires them or even given constructive criticism.

You truly inspire me to keep going.

Love you!

Gospel Music / Photo Contest

Woke up this morning thinking about the project I need to get done for an organization I was commissioned to do. While in the process of gathering music for the DVD, some of these tunes found there way back to me. Man. How amazing are these songs. Can't explained how I felt listening to them, almost brought tears to my eyes. Anyway, here are just a couple of the songs my mom and I were jamming to this morning!

God is so good ya'll. And I feel blessed to be alive.



"Think im so fresh
Think im so clean
Think im so sweet
ITS THE GOD IN ME!" (Yesssss Mary Mary!)



"I was created to make Your praise glorious.
I was created to make Your praise glorious,
glorious, yes, I was, yes, I was." -Martha Munizzi

Any one else love these songs? Or Gospel music in general? Feel free to comment! :)

In the meantime, I must get ready for work. Also, really excited about a Photography Contest I've entered recently. Wish me luck! There are SO MANY other awesome images in the categories too. Click here to enter the Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2009 competition.

Whitney Houston!!!

W.O.W.

It's Whitney! She's back and looks great!

Will definitely be supporting.



"I love you New York!"

We love you Whitney. Do your thing!

The "Beat It" kid has my heart

Happy (Early) Birthday Michael Jackson, KING OF MUSIC!

The world misses you. Thanks for the laugh Jadon!

HAPPY 48th BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT OBAMA

Proud to Be American!

Sending my prayers and love your way on this special day, your birthday! With God's help, you will continue making the right decisions for our country and bringing it back to greatness. I love you and support you to the end.

MJ Tribute from The Jerkins Family (AC PRESS)

My Dad saved this page for me from today's AC Press. I remember being so upset in 2001 when I read after the fact that Michael Jackson was in Pleasantville (town 5 mins away from Atlantic City) recording music with local producer Rodney Jerkins for the "Invincible" album. Feels like yesterday when I was shocked knowing MJ was sooo close and no one knew it. He just crept in for a week, and nicely crept right on out.

At the time, I remember thinking "Aww, that's ok. I'll get my chance."

Good look Jerkins.

Rest In Paradise Michael...

TYRA BANKS TWEETS ME ABOUT MY PHOTOGRAPHY!

It was a simple direct message via twitter, but one that nearly caused me to fall out of my seat upon receiving it! I've supported and loved Tyra forever because she's always been such a positive role model to our community and young women around the world. Not to also mention she's drop dead gorgeous and crazy funny. To see this message from her about my photos... wow. I just don't know what more to say than THANK YOU GOD and thank you Tyra Banks!

Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to meet her one day! Praying on it. ;)

New Eily Photos & Her Beauty Advice on ELLE.COM!

I've known Eily since 2005 and we've worked together on several occasions. I can't tell you guys how proud I am of her being on Elle.com! It was just a matter of time. Please, please click on the link. Help get her in the lead where she belongs.

To help celebrate this AMAZING feature, I'm also including a couple of unreleased photos I shot of Eily some time ago. :) As you can see, my camera loves her.

Check out the photos -





So please click on the above link to view her video on Elle.com. Thank you if you've already done so! Get more of the incredible make-up artist over at www.youtube.com/eily311

MJ

Posting because I can not stop listening to his music. I think it's safe to say no other mainstream artist of today is giving me what I need right now. Don't think they ever will either.

Videos of the week!